Irrigation subcommittee explores tying Pond 2 into distribution and assesses main waterline condition

A golf course irrigation subcommittee reported to the council on a multi-part review of the course’s irrigation main and options to use effluent from Pond 2 to reduce demand on Pond 17. Committee members said they are pursuing a strategy to mobilize Pond 2’s pump when Pond 2 is completed and connect it to the existing irrigation main to allow immediate irrigation capability while technical assessments continue.

The committee described several technical questions it has asked staff to answer, including the type and material of the current PVC or other main line pipe, typical leak locations (joints, valves or mid-pipe), the number of existing irrigation heads and zone valves, and whether isolation valves exist at zone locations that would permit phased maintenance. The subcommittee noted the system’s current maximum distribution is roughly 130,000 gallons per day while the city’s permit allowance is higher, and that the existing system is not achieving permitted distribution in the summer. Committee members emphasized they want a solution that could reasonably hold up for roughly 10 years and minimize near-term capital spending.

Council members emphasized the need to get Pond 2 operational as soon as possible but differed on whether to immediately invest in a new irrigation system or pursue a repair-and-reuse strategy while further engineering work proceeds. The subcommittee plans a site walk of the golf course and follow-up engineering and permitting work and will report back with engineering recommendations and cost estimates.